a serious testing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a serious testing" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct form would typically be "serious testing" without the article "a." Example: "The team conducted serious testing to ensure the product's reliability."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

This faith is going to get a serious testing, though, because next morning the police come knocking.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

That is because the United States will need to amend or jettison the 1972 Antiballistic Missile Treaty to embark on a serious testing and development program.

The New York Times

"Basically what the Russians figured out was that this was a serious testing program to develop missile defenses and that wasn't going to work within an ABM treaty designed to prevent it," one senior State Department official said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Recently, though, Pearl Jam faced a serious test.

The New York Times - Arts

But this is a serious test for Ireland.

Independent

"This will be a serious test, and we're all aware of that," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

The gentle slope up to the Acropolis walls came on like a serious test of character.

The Guardian - Sport

South Florida will get a serious test Friday when it faces West Virginia.

The New York Times

The 1999 Kosovo conflict was a serious test for NATO and divided people across Europe.

The New York Times

But David Warner of Australia has developed from a Twenty20 specialist into a serious test batsman.

The New York Times - Sports

"Japan has never experienced such a serious test," said Takeshi Sasaki, a political scientist at Gakushuin University.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer "serious testing" (without the article "a") or use alternative phrases like "rigorous testing" or "thorough evaluation" for better grammatical correctness and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using the indefinite article "a" before the noun "testing" when it is preceded by the adjective "serious". The correct form is generally "serious testing."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a serious testing" functions as a noun phrase, where "serious" modifies the gerund "testing". Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is not standard in written English; typically, "serious testing" (without the article) is preferred.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a serious testing" appears in some contexts, it is not considered grammatically correct in standard written English. Ludwig AI suggests that "serious testing" (without the article "a") is the preferred form. For greater clarity and correctness, consider using alternative phrases like "serious test", "rigorous testing", or "thorough evaluation". The contexts in which it appears are primarily News & Media, but due to grammatical concerns, it is best to avoid this phrase in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Serious test

Omission of "ing" makes it grammatical and emphasizes test itself rather than the act of testing.

Rigorous testing

Uses a stronger adjective ("rigorous") and omits the article "a" for grammatical correctness.

Thorough evaluation

Substitutes "testing" with "evaluation", implying a more comprehensive assessment.

In-depth analysis

Replaces "testing" with "analysis", suggesting a detailed examination.

Stringent assessment

Employs "stringent" to highlight the strictness of the assessment process.

Comprehensive examination

Uses "examination" instead of "testing", implying a detailed inspection.

Critical analysis

Focuses on the critical nature of the analysis performed.

Demanding trial

Highlights the challenging aspect of the test or trial.

Careful assessment

Replaces the adjective and focuses on the assessment.

Extensive investigation

Suggests a prolonged and detailed inquiry.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "a serious testing"?

No, the more grammatically sound phrase is "serious testing" without the article 'a'. While you might find instances of "a serious testing", it's less common and can sound awkward to native English speakers.

What are some alternatives to "a serious testing"?

Instead of "a serious testing", you can use phrases like "serious test", "rigorous testing", or "thorough evaluation" depending on the context.

When should I use "serious testing" instead of "a serious testing"?

You should almost always use "serious testing". The phrase is typically used to describe the act of evaluating something rigorously. The inclusion of "a" is grammatically unusual in modern English.

What is the difference between "serious testing" and "serious test"?

"Serious testing" refers to the process of testing, while "serious test" refers to the actual test itself. For example, "The product underwent serious testing" vs "The final exam was a serious test of their knowledge".